Monday, September 28, 2009

A couple of days ago, one of my favorite bands, Epica, released a new song, Unleashed. The song is awesome, strong, intense, as most of this band’s songs. And above all of that intensity, Simone Simons’ mezzo-soprano voice.

What does that has to do here? The first song I heard from Epica was the kind of song that talks directly to you, in both, music and lyrics. Moreover, I heard this song in which my ideas against religion’s abuses and nonsense were getting stronger. I wrote about it in my other blog commenting about the lyrics, and because of the release of the new song, I’ll post it here too.

Follow your common senseYou cannot hide yourselfbehind a fairytale forever and everOnly by revealing the whole truth can we discloseThe soul of this bulwark forever and everForever and ever

During the last months, in which I’ve been looking up to news about what goes on around the world, it’s just outrageous to witness how much abuse is committed in the name of religion. These atrocities are committed by people who justify their action with a fairy tale that has no intention to change despite all the proof that anyone can present to it.

Indoctrinated minds so very oftenContain sick thoughtsAnd commit most of the evil they preach against

While pastors throw their hate and intolerance-filled words from their pulpits, it’s the believers who, like mere sheep, follow the commandments of those who say represent god on Earth. The preach for love and understanding among men, but usually they are the first ones to spread intolerance and division among others.

Don't try to convince me with messages from GodYou accuse us of sins committed by yourselvesIt's easy to condemn without looking in the mirrorBehind the scenes opens reality

We non-believers are usually accused of having an empty life, of not having values, of not noticing what they call “facts” to justify their actions by believers. They pretend that we acknowledge their so-called “love messages” from God. But at the same time, those who accuse us think they are infallible by believing they know god’s message, message in which it is not allowed to think further than what is already known.

Eternal silence cries out for justiceForgiveness is not for saleNor is the will to forget

How many have been excluded or insulted because of these myths? How many have suffered because of being different? How many of those who committed these abuses keep preaching in the name of god as if nothing had happened, trying to forget all the evil they had done?

Virginity has been stolen at very young agesAnd the extinguisher loses it's immunityMorbid abuse of power in the garden of edenWhere the apple gets a youthful face

The young are especially vulnerable to the religious brainwash. From an early age kids are taught how especial they are and all the rewards they will get if the submit and obey everything they pastors tell them, even if it involves separation and discrimination. Religions are usually obsessed with sexuality, which is demonized and charged with guilt, even though is as natural as it can be.

Many believers just refuse to think and open their eyes to science and the real knowledge it brings. On the contrary, they choose to keep believing the same old stories and, which is worse, keep committing abuses in the name of god, just to wash their hands claiming that is the way they will get to heaven, while making a hell on Earth.

Both the lyrics and music are incredible. In a time like this, in which religion commits one atrocity after another, using its power and influence it’s hard not to be outraged. Yet, it’s comforting to find artistic expressions, like this song, that provides strength and hope to those of us who stand up for a better future without religious hypocrisy.